The keyhole access expansion technique for flapless implant stage-two surgery: technical note

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Periodontology
• Prosthodontics

Background:

• Patient satisfaction is crucial for dental implant success, alongside osseointegration and functional restoration.
• Achieving natural-looking restorations in the esthetic zone is a primary goal of implant therapy.
• Localized ridge defects pose challenges for achieving ideal esthetic and functional outcomes in dental implants.

Observation:

• The keyhole access expansion technique was employed for stage-two implant surgery following localized ridge defect reconstruction.
• This technique aims to facilitate the creation of a definitive implant restoration indistinguishable from adjacent natural teeth.
• The procedure was performed on a patient presenting with localized ridge defects requiring reconstruction.

Findings:

• The keyhole access expansion technique proved to be easy to perform, safe, and minimally invasive.
• A favorable esthetic and functional result was achieved after employing this technique for stage-two surgery.
• The reconstructed ridge defects allowed for a definitive implant restoration with excellent esthetics.

Implications:

• The keyhole access expansion technique offers a viable solution for managing localized ridge defects in implant dentistry.
• This minimally invasive approach can improve patient satisfaction by delivering superior esthetic and functional results.
• The technique's simplicity and safety make it a valuable addition to the armamentarium for implant surgeons.